Basic GOOGLE 101:

" " Exact Phrase
What it does: searches for an exact phrase
What to type: "one small step for man"
What you will get: results that include the exact phrase "one small step for man"

- Excluded Words
What it does: excludes search results with a particular word or phrase
What to type: bass -fishing
What you will get: results about bass that are not related to fishing

~ Similar Words
What it does: searches for a word and all it synonyms
What to type: ~mobile phone
What you will get: results with the word phone as well as cell, cellular, wireless, etc..

OR Multiple Words
What it does: searches for webpages that include either word
What to type: vacation London OR Paris
What you'll get: results with the word vacation and either London or Paris

,,,Numerical Ranges
What it does: searches for a range of numbers
What to type: Willie Mays 1950...1960
What you will get: results about Willie Mays during this time period.

Refine Your Search

Related Search-This is probably the most obvious way to refine your search. However, since it is buried at the bottom of the page students seldom click on the option. Students who are given open-ended research assignments (explorers, climate, countries, animals etc...) have a hard time picking the right tems to enter into a search. The related search option can help them refine the search and narrow their focus.